RACE REPORT

STAGE 1

London-Newhaven: 101 miles

MARK David Gray set a blistering pace out of the city southward to Sydenam Hill where guest rider Adam O’Brien rose to the summit, closely followed by Les Docherty to claim the PCS Polkadot Jersey. However race commissaire Hazel Roberts disqualified Adam for a false start.

The peloton stayed together and controlled small breakaways in the Surrey Hills and stayed together all the way to Newhaven where Calvin launched a solo breakaway in the last three miles but was reeled in by the bunch and all the riders finished the stage together.

RACE PREVIEW

STAGE 2

Dieppe-Forges les Eaux: 34 miles Weather: Sunny, 19°

IN CONTRAST to yesterday’s gruelling endurance test, the day begins with a four-hour ferry crossing to Dieppe for the start of the stage. 

At a mere 34 miles and flat as a pancake, Stage 2 is a day for tired riders to relax in the saddle, soak up the sun and enjoy the unspoilt French countryside. 

However, today will be a tough day for the logistics team who will earn their keep ensuring that the precious cargo of bikes and riders safely reaches France.

Following the route of a disused railway line, the bunch will wind its way through St-Vaast, Mesnieres and the former fortress town of Neufchatel-en-Bray, where Louis XI of France stayed for a few months in 1463. 

After a stop at a local cafe for an espresso or a glass of red wine, the riders will remount and continue towards the finish in the historic spa town of Forges-les-Eaux.

Cross winds from the east may provide the opportunity for a race-savvy rider to put the rest of the bunch in the gutter and open up a race-winning gap. But if no-one puts the hammer down, the bunch is likely to continue at a sedate pace until the finishing line is almost in sight. 

Super-Domestique Les Doherty and Unite Yellow Jersey favourite Pete Middleman are then expected to move towards the front of the peloton in preparation for contesting the sprint and winning the coveted Unison Sprint Jersey.

There are three ways to sponsor the ride:

• To pay by card, phone the Morning Star on (020) 8510-0815 (lines are open between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Go to www.morningstaronline.co.uk/support to make a one-off donation and sponsor a rider
• Send us a cheque, payable to Merseyside Morning Star Supporters Group and send to Pedalling4Progress, 10 Hadassah Grove, Liverpool L17 8XH